Where should Mohammad Rizwan be batting in ODIs?

[BunnyRabbit]

Well M Rizwan has cemented himself as Pakistan's premier wicketkeeper. He is number 6 in the Test squad currently and looks very comfortable there and after a few hiccups, seems to be taking a good liking as an opener in t20s as shown by his recent innings in t20is and PSL.

The question is where should Rizwan be batting in ODIs?

He scored 2 centuries in ODIS from no.4. He recently batted at no.5 but looked woefully out of touch there. His previous career as a no.6 and no.7 have been pretty big failures as he definitely isn't suited to being a finisher and takes some time to get going.

With his recent success at the top of the order, should he be used as an opener in ODIs as well considering there isn't any opener vying for a position? Imam is the incumbent. Fakhar looks likely to be dropped. Even Imam might have to go if his current forms continues. Or will opening in two formats while keeping wickets in all 3 formats would become too much for him?

Your views?

 

[marlonbrowndo]

At 4. I really rate Haris at 4 but I have no idea whats up with him nowadays. He could potentially open with Haider

 

[BunnyRabbit]

At 4. I really rate Haris at 4 but I have no idea whats up with him nowadays. He could potentially open with Haider

Don't like the idea of Haider opening the batting. He is much more comfortable in the middle order.

 

[CleverSir]

Rizwan probably needs to be at 6 in ODIs too. He's showing he has the ability to play big shots or consolidate after a collapse. We haven't played an ODI in a long time but I would go with a middle order of this in the next ODI:

1. ???? (Probably Imam for now)
2. ????
3. Babar
4. ????
5. Haider Ali
6. Rizwan
7. Faheem
8. ????
9. ????
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Rizwan probably needs to be at 6 in ODIs too. He's showing he has the ability to play big shots or consolidate after a collapse. We haven't played an ODI in a long time but I would go with a middle order of this in the next ODI:

1. ???? (Probably Imam for now)
2. ????
3. Babar
4. ????
5. Haider Ali
6. Rizwan
7. Faheem
8. ????
9. ????
10. Hasan Ali
11. Shaheen

That's the problem Rizwan would fit in anywhere other than no.6 and below. He needs some time to get going and for a finisher that is a sin.

1. Imam/Fakhar
2. Rizwan
3. Babar
4. Haris Sohail
5. Haider Ali
6. Imad / Although Iftikhar is going to get a shot here
7. Shadab ?????
8. Fahim
9. Hasan Ali
10. Shaheen
11. ?????

 

[Thunderbolt14]

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Hafeez (retaining him till 2023...)
5. Haider Ali
6. Faheem Ashraf
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Usman Qadir
11. Shaheen Afridi

 

[Mamoon]

Opening.

 

[Caved12]

SuperRiz should always open. Rizwan is a tremendous asset to the team and we are lucky to have him as he can do it all. He has done more than enough already for the opening position, and if they decide to change, then that person should be convicted of treason.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

1. Imam ul Haq
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
3. Babar Azam (c)
4. Mohammad Hafeez (retaining him till 2023...)
5. Haider Ali
6. Faheem Ashraf
7. Mohammad Nawaz
8. Shadab Khan
9. Hassan Ali
10. Usman Qadir
11. Shaheen Afridi

Hasn't Hafeez retired from ODIs?

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Hasn't Hafeez retired from ODIs?

I’d put a gun to his head, give him an AAA category contract and buy him a private island where he can play golf.

I’m sure he would accept.

 

[Ab Fan]

1. Haider Ali
2. Mohammad Rizwan (wkt)
3. Babar Azam
4. Mohammad Hafeez
5.
6.
7. Faheem Ashraf/ Shadab Khan
8. Spinner
9. Shaheen Shah Afridi
10.Mohammad Amir
11. Hasan Ali

 

[Last Monetarist]

I’d put a gun to his head, give him an AAA category contract and buy him a private island where he can play golf.

I’m sure he would accept.

I don't see the point though, given that he's unlikely to maintain this form till the 2023 World Cup. You'd rather groom young batsmen from domestic cricket.

 

[Hasan123]

Looks likely he will be asked to open in ODIs. I think he can do a good job at 4. That’s where he got his 2 centuries against Australia.

 

[Rayyman]

Looks likely he will be asked to open in ODIs. I think he can do a good job at 4. That’s where he got his 2 centuries against Australia.

Rizwan is really good against spin so the middle-order suits him.

But he is good enough to open too.

It depends on what the team needs. Rizwan is capable of batting anywhere 1-6.

 

[Hasan123]

Rizwan is really good against spin so the middle-order suits him.

But he is good enough to open too.

It depends on what the team needs. Rizwan is capable of batting anywhere 1-6.

Agreed. I think due to his success at T20 opener and the fact we don’t have many options, I think he will open against South Africa.

 

[cricketerB94]

For the South Africa series, I'd play him as an opener:

Imam
Rizwan
Babar
Haris
Hafeez
Haider
Faheem
Hasan
Qadir
Rauf
Shaheen

Haris/Hafeez can be used as 6th bowling options

 

[hur rizvi]

Open is the best spot for him in both ODIs and T20s

 

[Saj]

Poll added.

I prefer him in the middle order at 4 or 5.

Pakistan's middle order in ODIs is really brittle at the moment and he's a good option to have to hold things together and useful to bat with the lower order.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Number 4 is ideal spot for him as it still allows him most of time to get in and play lengthy inns. Main issue with team is the batting there after.

 

[Muhammad Kaleem]

Opening. His performances in t20 as opener makes me think that he can also utilize powerplay in ODI very well.

 

[Bigboii]

Poll added.

I prefer him in the middle order at 4 or 5.

Pakistan's middle order in ODIs is really brittle at the moment and he's a good option to have to hold things together and useful to bat with the lower order.

His power game is lacking for number 5

If we were near a WC year MH was perfect for this number 5 position

Haris Sohail for number 5 would be my pick...


I say number 4 or opening for Rizwan other than that keep him out

 

[Rana]

5 is fine


Pakistan need one more reliable middle order bat. Hopefully Harris Sohail for a couple of more years

 

[Justcrazy]

Opening the batting is best for him, as well as for the team. That way you can slot another batting all rounder in the team.

 

[cricketerB94]

He needs to open because:

1- He struggles when he has to face quality spin early in his innings.
2- His movement in the crease is not so ideal for a middle order batsman.
3- He has proven that he can be a good opener in white ball cricket.
4- Fakhar is not the long-term solution for opening slot.

Ideally the lineup should be:

Imam
Rizwan
Babar
Abdullah/Saud/Haris
Hafeez
Haider
Faheem
Shadab
Hasan
Shaheen
Hasnain

 

[Sunzi]

Middle order - I like 5 but depends on if we have a capable 4.

He is technically sound, busy at the crease, accumulates, and has finishing/propelling capabilities.

 

[shamaan]

I think once saud is in the team i would promote rizwan to oppening but if saud is injuired or rested then i would continue playing with Rizwan at 4

 

[shamaan]

Am not sure why haris is being mentioned saud should be playing at 4